Co-op bag charge to boost groups

Published:08:46Thursday 24 September 2015

Community groups and local causes could ‘bag’ themselves some funding, thanks to The Co-operative.

The retailer has launched a Local Fund to distribute more than £750,000 raised through the carrier bag charges and sales. It is envisaged that approaching 1,000 organisations and groups across Scotland will receive grants of between £200 and £2,500 from The Co-op Local Fund to make a difference in their community.

Applications can be made until midnight on Wednesday, October 7. Then, between November 16 and December 11, Co-op will give its one million members in Scotland a chance to vote and have a say, from a shortlist of organisations, on how the fund will benefit local communities.

John McNeill, divisional managing director for The Co-operative Food in Scotland, said: “We are asking the Scottish public to nominate those causes that they care about and would like to see supported through The Co-op Local Fund. The Co-operative’s one million members in Scotland will then have a unique opportunity to vote and say how the money should be shared.”

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food, and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, said: “It is fantastic to see the carrier bag charge raising so much money for good causes, as well as achieving such drastic reductions in the number of single-use carrier bags being handed out in Scottish stores. I would like to commend The Co-operative for their support, and to encourage as many projects and local good causes as possible to apply in order for their communities to benefit from a share of the funds”.

For further information or to make an application, visit www.co-oplocalfund.co.uk